is it ever warm enough to swim at lake superior in duluth? will be visiting soon.
 

hi,

Visiting duluth in july, never been, and wondered if, even then it is warm enough to swim in that gorgeous lake. Please respond.

thanks

I'm guessing not. It can get hot in Duluth in July, but I think the lakes temperature remains fairly cold. Good question that could use some research!

Join the Polar Bear Club, and you'll be fine.:-D

There is alot to do in Duluth, so swimming in Lake Superior wouldn't be top on my list anyway. The beaches are rocky, and the water can be quite rough.
It's a beautiful place, make sure to go up to Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls not too far north from Duluth.

It is possible to swim in Lake Superior but July is a little early. Every time I've done it, it has been in August. Usually it has been in a bay with a sandy shore, like between Marquette and Munising, MI. Of course the air temps have been in the high 80's or even 90's. Dip your toes, if you must, but don't plan on swimming.

absolutely not. i've had to enter a beach through Lake Erie in July and got some numb extremities due to the cold and this lake is shallower and more south than Superior.

I have braved Lake Superior north of Duluth several times. I don't think one would call it swimming...more like jumpin in and jumpin out. Brrr. Refreshing!!! Give it a go!!
The beaches on the north end of Duluth are great for rock hunting.

It depends on your definition of warm enough. The kids will probably be OK.

When I was in college, we swam in the St. Mary's river above the Soo, IN MAY.

I wouldn't do it today.

Keith

Average water temp.: 40°F.

I have seen people swimming in Lake Superior off Park Point in Duluth in early Aug. but I doubt that it is very warm even then. I grew up on Lake Superior and we never swam there and don't think it has changed since then.

I love folks who speak in absolutes.

While it's fairly unlikely Superior near Duluth will be warm enough -- there are occasions, even in July, when a fair number of folks will get in off Park Pt. I've done it -- was it warm? Not really, but it was ``warm enough.''

It depends a lot on the weather, especially the winds and whether colder water is blown into the shallow areas at the end of the lake. Doesn't happen very often but when it does, you won't be alone.

The best Superior swimming I ever did was in a sandy bay along the UP and it was perfect -- and a rare moment.